The Royal City Farmers Market AGM was held January 28. For those who were unable to attend, we are posting the text of the speeches each board member gave to summarize our progress in the 2009 market year.
At the end of May 2009 I received an unexpected and timely phone call from Andrew. I was a stay at home mom trying to figure out how to stay at home when my mat leave ended, and in less than a week I was hired on as the market manager. I also wanted to say a special thank you to Will Tomkinson for mentioning my name to Andrew that fateful day back in May.
It was a race to get organized for the first week, and I don’t really think the pace slowed down until October, and even then it was full speed ahead to organize the winter market. By the end of the summer season, I think we were operating as a well oiled machine!
There were a total of 64 vendors approved to sell at RCFM throughout the season. My largest challenge during the summer and now during the winter is where to put all of the amazing vendors who wanted to come. The most vendors at any one market in the summer was 38, with the average at about 33, and the lowest at 29. We were fortunate to only have one rainy day – and rain it did – but there were two weeks in the height of summer where we baked in the heat and if you ask me, I’m not sure what was harder to work through!
We are on track for a spectacular 2010 season, I’m working on forms and applications for returning and new vendors alike and things will be full speed ahead once the new board meets. I want to say a few quick thank yous:
First, to the volunteers who came out week after week and did everything from taking surveys, putting up signs, monitoring kids activities, running the RCFM booth… you are an integral part of how this organization functions and week after week, you made me feel as though everything was in good hands.
Second, I am honored to have worked with such an energetic and committed board. You were all willing to pitch in your own volunteer time, and as a collective, you were a pretty decent boss. Thank you for your time and your faith in me.
Thank you also to the community groups, city departments, and other organizations that supported us by donating time and services to help the market run smoothly.
Finally, I wanted to point say a special thank you to Briana Tomkinson, who some of you may already know but may not know of her contribution. Briana has been an incredible supporter and volunteer behind the scenes – among other things, she has redesigned our website, has helped me write press releases, and handles all of the social media updates. Without her I simply could not have gotten as much done.
Not many people can say they love their job; I am truly grateful that I can say I do.
